Thanksgiving, 11-26-25

 We are blessed in our county to have a national holiday to offer thanksgiving for the blessings we have in our lives. 

 

President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation on October 3, 1863, to establish Thanksgiving as a National Day of Thanksgiving and prayer, encouraging Americans to give thanks for their blessings and to remember those suffering due to the Civil War. 

 

This was aimed to unite the nation in gratitude and reflection during a time of conflict in our country. 

 

Many of us will be gathering with family and friends to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal together.   

 

As we get together it can be a time of joy to see our loved ones that we may not have seen for a while. 

 

It can also be a time of anxiety as we may there may be some who we have some differences with. 

 

We may not be sure exactly how the day will go. 

 

But I think our former president was on to something in giving thanks to almighty God for the blessings that have been bestowed on us would help to unite a divided people. 

 

 

The healing of the ten persons from leprosy today is a good example of showing gratitude to God from the one person, a Samaritan, that was the least expected to do so. 

 

Jews did not get along well Samaritans because they did not think their worship of God was proper. 

 

Their worship was a mix of pagan and Jewish practices due to Jews intermarrying with a foreign culture where they lived in while in exile.   

 

The healing of the Samaritan was a sign that Jesus came to save all people, not just the Jews, and wanted to unite all people through faith in him. 

 

Jesus heard their cry for help from a distance, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” 

 

He told them to “go show yourselves to the priests”. 

 

This was necessary so they could be admitted back to worship with their communities because they were now healed of leprosy. 

 

The Samaritan was the only one who realized the ultimate source of healing, was Jesus, and returned praising God and falling at his feet to thank him. 

 

The Samaritan is a good model for us to follow in thanking God for the blessing he has given us. 

 

May this be a day that we put aside any differences we have and focus on the one who wants to unite us all, Jesus Christ, and give thanks for the many blessings he has given us, especially our faith. 

 

As we gather with family and friends let’s keep in mind the words of our first reading from Sirach, 

 

“Bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on the earth.  May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you.”